Norwich another must win match

[claretandbluesky]

I know there will be those who see a draw as a decent outcome but we need momentum and another 3 points will certainly give us that whilst piling pressure on Everton and Watford.

Getting that head of steam now will save us all a lot of anxiety come the end of the season.

Fortune does favour the brave and now is the time to be bold.

[jedi_master]

If we beat Norwich and Everton lose to United, I think they’re gone. I cannot see Everton having the bottle to get out of the bottom three once they’re in it.

The risk is Watford, Hodgson is a canny one.

[jrgbfc]

Don't think Norwich is must win at all, a point would be fine, with four winnable home games still to come.

[BurnleyFC]

I agree - it’s a must win.

Don’t write Watford off, though. They’ll have been as happy with last night’s result as we are.

[claretandbluesky]

Play for a draw get a defeat.

We need to be totally positive now and try and move out of the relegation zone.

Draws have been at the heart of our problems.

[tiger76]

Don't think Norwich is must win at all, a point would be fine, with four winnable home games still to come.

To an extent yes, last night's win has given us some wriggle room, but equally we don't want to be relying on Everton continuing to lose, because you never know they might just pull a shock result out of the bag against Utd, so better if we help ourselves and get another win on the board ASAP.

For Norwich it probably is their last chance saloon, beat us and results go in their favour, then it may just bring them back into contention, however a draw or defeat for them and their fate is likely confirmed.

Ideally we don't want to be heading into the Newcastle match needing a result, but yes we do have some winnable games among our remaining fixtures, so a draw wouldn't be the end of the world come the weekend.

[claptrappers_union]

We just have to win more games than Everton, there run-in is awful. But we need to pick up points wherever they come

[IanMcL]

Not a must win, however, it would be a very significant result and reflect on other teams too. A good one to win.

[BurnleyFC]

We just have to win more games than Everton, there run-in is awful. But we need to pick up points wherever they come

And Watford.

Their run in is better on paper than ours.

[Spijed]

But if ourselves and Watford win then Leeds are only three points ahead.

[Hibsclaret]

Everyone can talk about run ins etc but we have already taken points off 4 of the big 6 this season. Everton at home are a very different beast to away from home and can certainly win their home games, including against United and Chelsea. We need what we have always needed despite all the panic and conjecture, which is enough points from the last 9 games.

We can quite easily lose at Norwich and Watford and still stay up. We can also win both of those and go down. Therefore, it is important to stay calm after a good result and a bad result just as the great man did last night when the 3rd goal went in. Let the other managers get emotional and lose it like Lampard did against Newcastle when he hurt his hand. This part of the season is all about handling the pressure as Sean did last night.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Every game is a cup final until we're safe
We have to build an upwards momentum, because Everton are on a downward spiral and Lampard doesn't have experience of this as either a player or a manager.
We should be targeting the team in 16th as the one to catch, as we've got two games in hand on them.

[Elizabeth]

I think the value put on ' Run Ins' is overstated.

Every year it is shown that in the latter part of the season results occur that don't fit in with the form guide. The best example of that was the year one team won their last few games to stay up from what looked a hopeless position

The biggest effect of winning last night is that it has restored faith among the team and fans. Probably the only person unaffected by it was Dyche.

[Vegas Claret]

in the post match Jay said they are all must win, I'll go with what Jay said

[NewClaret]

Really need to go to Norwich with 3 points in mind. They’re not a bad side from an attacking perspective & look much better under Smith, so a potential banana skin, but get at them & I think we can score.

[Gordaleman]

I wouldn't bet against Everton beating Utd on Saturday. They will be hurting from last night and Utd have had a very poor season by their standards. It just depends which Utd team turns up, because they have been absolutely woeful at times.

The one thing that could make a difference is the short turn round time for Everton to prepare for Saturday. An early KO making it even less time to recover from last night.

We just need to continue the attacking theme on Sunday.

[Zlatan]

But if ourselves and Watford win then Leeds are only three points ahead.

The ideal scenario for me is Leeds and Everton are the ones to drop, as it means 2 potentially stronger teams won’t be in the Premier League next season.

[PremierLeagueClass]

Last nights result was the big one. Whilst a draw would be a disappointing result, last night has meant it’s not a must win game.

[Devils_Advocate]

Not a must win in the same way as Everton for me. Its probably our easiest match left to play so we should be looking to win and should be favourites but a draw isn't the end of the world, especially with Evertons run in and the fact we have it in our gift to win our other 6 pointer against Watford.

The real danger is that after a brilliant win last night we go to Norwich and put in an abject performance, lose and kill any momentum and confidence we gained from last nights performance.

Id be more worried about Watford than Everton as they have 3 winnable home matches including a big 6 pointer against us where they might do to us what we've just done to Everton.

[claretandbluesky]

It’s a must win just because we won. Confidence breeds confidence.

It’s a must win because it will bring back belief.

And in football confidence and belief count for a lot, and we have been missing them most of the season.

Three more goals please.

[Kgun5]

The ideal scenario for me is Leeds and Everton are the ones to drop, as it means 2 potentially stronger teams won’t be in the Premier League next season.

Wonder what odds you’d get on that right now?

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

The sooner we win 4-5 more games the better

[claretandbluesky]

Win against Norwich and the Watford match probably takes on a different perspective.

Strike while the irons hot.

We have our destiny in our own hands now, get those other clubs looking up at us, and pull away from the danger zone.

[bfcjg]

If we actually play football, low balls into feet in the box we should get at least another3-4 wins plus grind a draw or two out and we will be ok.

[Dark Cloud]

Hugely important to win at Norwich imo. Clearly not terminal if we get a draw, but so much of our season has been one step forward followed by two steps back. We simply HAVE to capitalise on last night because yet again we have dug ourselves part way out of the hole we are in and we mustn't allow ourselves to slide all the way back into it come Sunday evening.

[claretandy]

Not a must win in the same way as Everton for me. Its probably our easiest match left to play so we should be looking to win and should be favourites but a draw isn't the end of the world, especially with Evertons run in and the fact we have it in our gift to win our other 6 pointer against Watford.

The real danger is that after a brilliant win last night we go to Norwich and put in an abject performance, lose and kill any momentum and confidence we gained from last nights performance.

Id be more worried about Watford than Everton as they have 3 winnable home matches including a big 6 pointer against us where they might do to us what we've just done to Everton.

Watford haven't won a home game under woy.

[claretandy]

The sooner we win 4-5 more games the better

We won't need anything like 5 more wins.

[jurek]

Although I would agree it's not a must win much will
depend on how Everton, Watford, Leeds and also Newcastle perform
at the weekend. They all play before us so we'll know how they've got on
before we play Norwich on Sunday.
The ideal situation would be if Everton and Newcastle lose
and Watford draw with Leeds and we get three points against Norwich.
That would take us out of the bottom three and 4 points behind
Leeds and Newcastle with a couple of games in hand.

But you never know. There could be some strange results
but hopefully we can move in and get the points we need.
I think 12 points might suffice so that's 4 wins.
Still a tall order.

[FCBurnley]

Watford still have us and Everton at home so they are possibly favs to stay up. We need to be 4 points clear when we play them. Play like we did second half last night and we will be fine

[NewClaret]

Watford still have us and Everton at home so they are possibly favs to stay up. We need to be 4 points clear when we play them. Play like we did second half last night and we will be fine

I would still place Everton favourites in terms of squad, when they get people back from injuries and suspensions.

United are so hit and miss, you never know who will turn up. Chelsea in a bit of a sticky period for the club. They play Leicester twice so I think the result in the first game may be key to their season.

Watford with the easier run of games.

So I’d still put us 3rd favourites albeit with the experience of being in this position.

Getting a win at Norwich and edging ourselves out of it would be huge.

[Berne Leigh]

It is not a must win in terms of points. But it is a must win in terms of momentum and confidence. Losing would undo a lot of the good work achieved last night.

[warksclaret]

The key benefit from winning (other than the 3 points) is the confidence it gives for the next game. If we can beat Norwich I think we could go on a little run of draws and wins. For me one tough game (Spurs away) but we are capable of at least drawing the other 8

[FCBurnley]

Not a must win in the same way as Everton for me. Its probably our easiest match left to play so we should be looking to win and should be favourites but a draw isn't the end of the world, especially with Evertons run in and the fact we have it in our gift to win our other 6 pointer against Watford.

The real danger is that after a brilliant win last night we go to Norwich and put in an abject performance, lose and kill any momentum and confidence we gained from last nights performance.

Id be more worried about Watford than Everton as they have 3 winnable home matches including a big 6 pointer against us where they might do to us what we've just done to Everton.

Assume you think Leeds are safe now? Lose at Watford and maybe not !
‘ in our gift’ makes no sense to me

[Masham Ale]

The best example of that was the year one team won their last few games to stay up from what looked a hopeless position

Leicester 14/15
W7 D1 L1 of their last 9 to finish 14th on 41pts
Previously only winning 4 games

[Masham Ale]

Following season they won the league!

[CombatClaret]

It's a must-win in the sense that we will not face a worse team again this season.

I had Everton, Norwich and Newcastle down as our three remaining wins.
If we pick up other's, great but Wolves, Saints, Villa etc will be a challenge despite being at home. They're all comfortably mid-table for a reason.

[wilks_bfc]

Following season they won the league!

Sliding doors moment when Taylor missed the penalty

[Buxtonclaret]

It's a game we really must target as a win.

[IWOODLOVETT]

It's a must-win in the sense that we will not face a worse team again this season.

I had Everton, Norwich and Newcastle down as our three remaining wins.
If we pick up other's, great but Wolves, Saints, Villa etc will be a challenge despite being at home. They're all comfortably mid-table for a reason.

………. and comfortable mid-table clubs are just the best to meet at the end of a hard season, when they’ve nothing to play for and are either “on the beach” or building for the future.

[KRBFC]

I worry about the Watford away game, I think we need 3 points at Norwich to ease the importance of Watford away

[claretandbluesky]

Comfortable mid table sides can be easy pickings but equally they can play with verve and panache not hindered by the anxiety that besets clubs below them

Win a few games ourselves and we feel the loosening of the chains.

We have been playing without confidence.
A couple of wins could completely alter our persona.

[Sozturf7]

Some really good points on this thread. The two I think sum up the way forward are from Claret and Blue and bfcjg. Draws are our big problem, just look at the table, and ball into the box on the ground, last night really showed that point up.

[ElectroClaret]

Well, if it wasn't before, it is now.
Draw not much good.

[IanMcL]

It will be handy to win!

[wilks_bfc]

It definitely is now

[KRBFC]

We've bottled every big game apart from the Everton one so I don't expect us to win.

[thelaughingclaret]

Without a doubt it is now must win. If Leeds win later then it is even more so.
A draw is as good as a loss. We have drawn far too many this season. We need to claw back points and we are fast running out of games.

[Iloveyoubrady]

We have the firepower to score more goals the Norwich. We can win this bloody game.

[claretandbluesky]

The fact it’s a must win is so much better for us. It stops us becoming ultra cautious. SD’s natural focus away from home is to get a draw. The situation means he has to be proactive, that is a big positive.

[dougcollins]

I've often heard SD say 'We always try to win'.

I think he's being economical with the facts there - way too many times I've witnessed us trying not to lose, and doing so as a result.